BUFFALO (WBEN) - Last week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo reintroduced the push to legalize marijuana and online sports betting across the state. As democrats control both chambers of the state legislature, there's an overwhelming sense of when, not if, these agenda items will move forward.
"I expect it to happen relatively quick," said Democratic State Assemblyman Pat Burke, though he noted the pandemic may cause some interference. "It'll get done soon, but it's just a matter of time."
Republican State Assemblyman Angelo Morinello admits action to pass both will likely take place very soon due to the overwhelming majority Democrats have in both the state assembly and the senate.
"The both of them have a strong possibility of passing, but for the wrong reasons," said Morinello. ""They're using the economic downturn, they're using the state deficit, as their reasoning for the passage of these bills, but I think it's a misguided focus. I don't think that they have focused enough on education, movement and safety, rather than the financial."
Despite Morinello's and other Republicans' objections, Burke said it's simply time for New York to catch up with the times and allow adults to make decisions for themselves.
"I think it's necessary, and pun not intended, high time we pass the recreational marijuana," said Burke. "It's getting passed across the country, there's a lot of financial benefits from it, we can regulate it and make it safer, and we can take something that is currently on the black market and manage it better to reduce crime.
"Right now people gamble pretty regularly, they just do it on the black market," Burke continued. "We should regulate that and bring in more resources for the State of New York, and also just treat adults like adults - they can make their own decisions on this stuff, and they're going to do it one way or the other."
